OUGD502 Studio Brief 1 | Blok Design Emails

The first email I sent to Blok was an opening email to let them know who I am and why I was emailing them.


Initial email:

Hi, my name is Dan Hart-Davies and I’m a second-year graphic design student at Leeds College of Art in the UK. We’ve been assigned the task of conducting an interview with an individual or collective within the design industry that inspires us and our work. Having found your work on Behance a couple of months ago I have used it in my course as inspiration and examples of what I one day hope to be able to create myself. Being able to ask you a few questions about the studio, your location and your place in the industry would massively help me as a student but also as an aspiring designer. 
If you would be happy answering a few questions I will send a follow-up email with them included. 

Thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you soon,
Dan

This email must have worked well because Vanessa from Blok replied very quickly saying that they would be happy to help:

Hello Dan!

I would be happy to help!
xoxvanessa

To which I replied:

Hi Vanessa,
Thanks a lot for the quick reply and helping me out with this. I just want to say if any of the questions don’t quite make sense or you don’t know what I meant by any of them, don’t hesitate to ask me to elaborate or make the question more direct. Thanks again.

1) What separates Blok Design from other studios not only in Toronto but around the world? 
2) How does being in Toronto influence the work that the studio produces?
3) With Toronto’s creative scene really booming at the moment, from the huge street photography community to fashion to a widely recognised ‘Toronto sound’, how are you able to separate yourself from the crowd and stay relevant in such a busy and diverse industry? 
4) Has Blok ever thought about relocating or opening another studio in a different city? If so/not, why?
5) I see you have a very long client list, how do you determine what is worth doing or particularly suited to Blok’s design process?
6) How does the relationship with clients differ now compared to when Blok was in it’s early stages or just lesser-known?
7) Do Blok provide internships/placements? If so, how does one apply?